Leaf Mimic Moth

The moth members of this Order of insects include a large number of diverse families. Moth groups include micro moths, leaf miners, clothes moths, plume moths, ermine moths, burnets, geometrids, silk moths, sphinx moths, tiger moths, wasp moths, noctuids, underwings and many others.

Navajo Indians used the Mothway Myth to encourage clan members to marry outsiders. In the myth, the leader of the butterfly people, Beaochidi, used to satisfy the sensual needs of both male and females. When Beaochodi departed, the clan members began to inter marry which consequently caused them to go wild, just as the moths demonstrated by rushing into flames. The myth was utilized to help educate clan members about the concerns surrounding intermarriage within small groups.